Air mail exchange device



y 3,1932- I L; L. LUNDGREN 1,856,490

AIR MAIL EXCHANGE DEVICE Filed Aug. 6, 1929 Ladu/gl. land 3'16/7 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEK Patented May 3, 1932 LUDVIG L. LUNDGREN, F YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO AIR MAIL EXCHANGE DEVICE Application filed August 6, 1929.

This invention relates to the handling of air mail and more especially in a device for taking on air mail and dropping air mail by an airplane operator in order that the mail may be collected and discharged at the same time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vertical support member secured to the ground. This support member is provided with a horizontal arm which in turn carries two perpendicular, parallel support members for the carrying of mail to be taken up by the airplane.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for dropping mail at the same time mail is taken on by the airplane.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vertical support member which may be folded downwardly to the ground when desired and means for rotating the same in order to swing the arm carrying the mail to be taken on in the proper position for planes travelling'in ditl'erent directions.

With the foregoing and other Objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without depar ing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the device showing the gronnd part supporting mail to be taken on.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device showing an airplane with an equipment in a position to pick up air mail and to drop air mail.

By referring to Figure 1 it will seen that I have provided a vertical support member 1 which is hinged at point 2 in order that the same may be folded down to the ground when adjusting the device holding mail to be taken on. This vertical support 7 member 1 is telescoped at point 3 in order to allow for rotation. The device may be rotat- Serial No. 383,842.

ed by means of a lever 4. There is provided a horizontal arm 5 at the extreme upper end 6 of the vertical support member 1. This horizontal arm 5 is utilized for the purpose of supporting two vertical, parallel members 7 pivotally secured to the horizontal arm 5. These vertical, parallel members 7 are utilized for the purpose or" holding a net 8 which is supported at its upper end by means of a cap 9 placed over upper ends 01 the ver- 60. tical, parallel members 7. The lower portion of the net 8 is held between the vertical, parallel members 7 by means of slidable rings 10. It will be noticed each of the vertical, parallel members 7 is provided with depend- Q ent weight arms 11 carrying suitable weights 12 in order to hold the device for holding a mailbag 13 in a position above the horizontal arm 5.

By referring to Figure 2, it will be seen 70, that as the airplane 14 flies directly over the net 8, the operator releases a cord 15 which carries at its lower end a grappling hook 16. At the same time a cord 17 is lowered. The lower end of this cord 17 is provided with a swivel link 18 which carries a pivoted discharge arm 19 which is provided with a dis charge hook 20 upon which is supported a mail sack 21 about to be dropped. In order to prevent the pivoted discharge arm 19 from unnecessarily swaying or twisting there has been provided a stabilizer arm 22 having an extreme lower end 23 with an eye opening 2 1 through which the cord 17 passes.

When the airplane 14 passes directly over the net 8, the grappling hook 16 engages the net 8, and the net is caused to slip over the top of the vertical, parallel members 7 carrying the mail bag 13 which is being taken on to the plane. The cord 15 is secured to the pivoted discharge arm 19 at point 25 in order that the pivoted discharge arm 19 may be pulled down thereby causing the mail bag 21 to drop from oil the discharge hook 20.

It is obvious that the cords 15 and 17 must be wound and unwound and this is accomplished by means of drums 26 and 27.

It will also be understood that in equipping a complete device of this character, it will be advisable to provide an ordinary net for the reception of the mail bag 21 when dropped, in order to prevent damage to the mall.

What I claim is 1 1. In a device of the class described, a pivoted discharge arm suspended from an air- I plane, a.discharge'h0ok formed on said pivoted discharges-arm for the purposeofsupporting a mail bagin a dischargeable man- 19 ner, means for preventing unnecessary swaying of said pivoted dischargearm, means for Y automatically discharging a mail bag held on said discharge hook, and means for'pickingup and taking on theflairplane a mail 15 bag, substantially as described.

p 2. In 'adevice oftheclass described, dischar e arm held in a pivoted manner and suspen ed from an airplane, a discharge hook formed on said pivoted discharge arm 20 for the purpose of holding a mail bag and discharging the same, means for automatically tripping said pivoted discharger arm, and

7 means fortaking upa mail bag at thesame time asa mail bag is discharged from the g discharge hook,

. In testimony whereof I alfiX my signature. gLUDVIG'L. LUNDGREN. 

